maternal health
U.S. remains a grim leader in preterm births. Why? And can we fix it?
Tamara Etienne’s second pregnancy was freighted with risk and worry from its earliest days — exacerbated by a first pregnancy that had ended in miscarriage. A third-grade teacher at an overcrowded Miami-Dade County public school, she spent harried days on her feet. Financial worries weighed heavy, even with health insurance and some paid time off […]
Postpartum depression bill has now cleared both Kentucky chambers
This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. FRANKFORT — A bill aimed at providing education and resources for new parents who may face postpartum depression has now cleared both Kentucky chambers. Senate Bill 135, sponsored by Sen. Shelley […]
Prospects dim for freestanding birth centers in this session
FRANKFORT — Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said Tuesday that bills aimed at revising the state’s certificate of need requirements “are not moving forward this session.” Among those bills are pieces of legislation aimed at making freestanding birth centers more accessible in the state. Thayer’s comments came during Tuesday’s meeting of the Senate Licensing & Occupations […]
Freestanding birthing centers would be vital tools to ease Kentucky’s maternal health crisis
I’ve been a professional birth worker for more than ten years, but I was a birth worker before I even knew what that was. Birth work came naturally to me. Years ago, a family member of mine was pregnant and didn’t have support, so I stepped into that role, and it just felt right. The […]
Mental health support needed to curb Kentucky’s maternal deaths
This story discusses suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. At least 8.4% of Kentucky’s maternal deaths between 2017 and 2019 were from suicide, according to a new state report presented to the Senate Standing Committee on Health […]
Humana supports prenatal care for Black moms with $120,000 in grants, goal is ‘health equity’
To “improve access to quality prenatal care in Kentucky for Black moms,” Humana announced Tuesday it will give $120,000 in grants to three organizations. Humana’s Healthy Horizons made the move in response to a March of Dimes report last year that awarded Kentucky a failing grade on key indicators of maternal health. The commonwealth was […]